<Born Again Camper Alert> Experts please come and talk to me about tents and Devon campsites

[Washersaurus]

Tent-wise we are looking at buying the Khyam Ontario or the Wynnster Raven 8 (which seem to be exactly the same tent)

We are thinking of a short stay somewhere in Devon to start with (maybe even next week)....All advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated [too lazy to search archives emoticon]

[Dragonbutter]

I've heard that higher rew campsite in marlborough near kingsbridge is good.

Pop in and show me how to work my sewing machine if you like.

[Lucycat]

Ross Park or Dornafield is where you need to try!

[Washersaurus]

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look them up now.

So does our tent choice look OK? Our old tent is far too small now we have 2 little ones. In fact I can remember it feeling a bit on the small side when there was just the 2 of us

Db - I would happily come and help with your machine. Unfortunately, mine is currently out of action as I can't work out what is wrong with it - so I'm probably not much use to you!

[Washersaurus]

Oh they all look so lovely - how do you choose?

Has anyone been to Ladram Bay?

[Dragonbutter]

I don't know the campsite at ladram bay but it's near budleigh salterton. Last time i went there it was full of old ladies on deck chairs.
Kingsbridge is nice and is also near salcombe which is lovely too. You can take a little passenger ferry across the water to some lovely beaches and walks on the other side.
I have no idea about your tent though. They look nice. would be good to have a practise setting it up before you buy.

[PeachyHidingInTheShed]

We had the ontario- fab tent. Only sold it because A0 well habit and b.....

Damnn can't think of anything- Dh and I have tent buying compulsion.

Oh yes I remember- it had a rain junx.

Seriously- not a dry one last year, first in the outwell was dry, buyer put it up and heavens opened (sure just my own one though)

devon sites.... well wood farm is devon / dorest border 9just search wood farm charmouth)

consider joining the caravan and camping club, several devon sites

[PeachyHidingInTheShed]

Oha nd dh can put ontario 8 single handed

which is handy

[Washersaurus]

Well if it can be put up single handed then that is perfect!

We have borrowed our friends Kyham Ultimate XL tent for our trip this week; plenty of room, but it doesn't have a SIG.

We got our old Aztec tent out of the loft today, it is in really good condition - just a shame it is only a 4 man tent (lack of foresight when purchasing) - there is no way we could fit 4 of us in there, especially with the travel cot for DS2

[eleanorsmum]

are you looking at selling your 4 man tent washers? if so where are you and how much? [cheeky]

[Washersaurus]

Umm, I suppose we won't be using it again as it is just too small for our family. I would have to talk to DH and see what he says. I have no idea what 2nd hand tents sell for!

[eleanorsmum]

ok - thanks for not thinking i'm too cheeky! what is it? we are me dh and dd aged 4. have just started looking so have no idea either!

[Washersaurus]

It is an Aztec Lago 4. I don't want to get into trouble for selling on the board though, so if you do your research and are still interested in it then email me at matthewsemma @ msn dot com

[Dragonbutter]

Washersaurus, i really hope you aren't camping in devon right now. the rain last night was so heavy it woke me up.

[Fennel]

It's beautiful this week in my part of Devon. Some heavy showers but glorious sun most of the time.

am hoping it holds for our weekend camping trip.

[Washersaurus]

Well, I am just back from our camping trip. YES we were out in the thunder and lightning . We have had the worst few nights possible I reckon - it even rained when we were putting up the tent. Fortunately the days have been quite sunny (but changeable)!

By the 2nd day DS1 (3yo) kept asking if we could go home soon!

Needless to say we are all glad to be home

[Dragonbutter]

oh dear.
where did you go in the end?
any campsites to recommend?

[Washersaurus]

Well we opted for the cheapest option as we were really just testing out what camping gear we needed etc. We decided to stay at Parkers Farm in Ashburton, which is a lovely site with brilliant clean facilities but is very noisy. Luckily (?) we didn't hear the road noise over the sound of the rain

It was only £9 per night, so was a bargain. I don't think we would go back because of it being so close to the main road though.

[Dragonbutter]

i feel personally responsible for your rain.
hey, at least you didn't go to budleigh salterton with the pensioners.
we're testing out a campsite near beesands soon, i'll let you know how it is.

[Washersaurus]

Yes DB I owe you a big thank you for the pensioner warning . Newton Abbot and surrounding areas are really lovely, I'm glad we chose there. We will be off somewhere else camping maybe next month so your recommendations would be appreciated.

[Dragonbutter]

what did you find to do?
ashburton is very very close to us.

definitely take a look at the higher rew campsite as we have friends who go every year. the location is good too.

there's lots of fun stuff to do between kingsbridge and salcombe up along the coast to dartmouth. my favourite. and a lovely beach at blackpool sands with a nice cafe etc. that's where i'd go on holiday, if we didn't already live nearby.

[Washersaurus]

On Weds we went to the Marine Aquarium in Plymouth and on Thursday we went to Paignton Zoo. We also had a wander around Newton Abbot. We didn't arrive until teatime on Tues and travelled back home on Friday, so we didn't have much time to do anything else!

[Dragonbutter]

or much money left i imagine.
if you ever want advice on free/cheap stuff to do around here give us a shout.

[pipsy76]

Hi WS, devon is a great choice for camping holidays hope you have a great time. We stayed at Hidden Valley campsite Nr Ilfracombe last summer as this was lovely, quite family site tractor rides each morning up to shop to buy croissants, bar with play room in evenings, loads to do in area.

[Washersaurus]

Well we saved on campsite fees to enable us to spend on the activities; the bad weather was the main reason for the aquarium visit though.

We would have loved to do some of the free outdoor based activities we had planned but the weather was too crazy.

Anyway, any ideas where we can go next, for our longer holiday? We are thinking of trying somewhere other than Devon/Cornwall next time, as we have never ventured out of those counties when camping before.

[Dragonbutter]

pre-kids we used to do a fair bit of camping in the lakes. not sure if my advice would be valid as at the time we weren't looking for good facilities for families back then. alas, we were more bothered about good bases for climbing/mountain biking.